Page 123 - War Conflict
Interpol offers assistance to Sri Lanka to probe Sunday's blasts
The international police organisation or the Interpol on Monday offered assistance to Sri Lankan authorities in investigating the eight deadly terror bombings which rattled different parts of the country amid Easter services on Monday.Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock took to social media to condemn the horrific blasts that killed nearly 290 people and injured around 500 others in three churches and three high-end hotels across the island nation, Colombo Page reported."Interpol strongly condemns the horrific attacks in Sri Lanka and has offered its full support to the investigation being carried out by national authorities. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims," the organisation took to its official Twitter handle to say.The Paris-based organisation added that it can deploy an Incident Response Team at the request of a member country to provide on-site support during a crisis situation.The blasts targeted St Anthony's Church in Colombo, St ...
British family survives Sri Lanka bombing
A British family staying in one of the Colombo hotels targeted by suicide bombers had a narrow escape -- because they were late for breakfast.
Celebrity TV chef, daughter killed in Sri Lanka
A celebrity TV chef and her daughter were among the hundreds killed in the coordinated terror attacks that devastated Sri Lanka on Sunday, a family friend said.
Celebrity chef Shantha Mayadunne, daughter killed in Sri Lanka terror bombings
Celebrity chef Shantha Mayadunne and her daughter Nisanga Mayadunne were among those who lost their lives in the deadly coordinated blasts that rattled three churches and three high-end hotels across Sri Lanka, killing nearly 290 people on Sunday.Shortly before the terror attacks, Mayadunne's daughter, Nisanga shared a photo of the family enjoying Easter breakfast at the Shangri-La hotel in Colombo, one among three hotels targeted by suicide bombers, New York Post reported.One of the friends of Nisanga, Radha Fonseca told Gulf News that "destiny has taken away both of them and I am devastated," referring to the death of Nisanga and her mother."Nisanga was a very popular girl in college. Besides the fact that she was bright and smart, her mother Shantha Mayadume, a renowned chef, made her more popular in college. She (the mother) was well respected and an inspirational chef for Sri Lankans," Fonseca was quoted as saying."When I heard the news, I was left numbed and shocked. I don't ...
Kerala govt constitutes medical team to assist relief work in Sri Lanka
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan led Kerala government has formed a medical team of 15 experts to assist the relief work in Sri Lanka.The medical team of 15 experts will assist Sri Lanka blasts victims. Kerala government is holding discussions with the Ministry of External Affairs for necessary arrangements to be made for sending the team over to Sri Lanka where massive relief operations are underway.At least 290 people lost their lives and more than 500 were injured in the eight coordinated bomb blasts that rocked Sri Lanka during Easter celebrations on Sunday.Police spokesperson Ruwan Gunasekara told The New York Times that 24 people have been arrested in connection with the deadly explosions. Sri Lankan authorities have termed this a case of intelligence failure.
Sri Lanka identifies outfit behind blasts; says all suicide bombers Lankan nationals
A local outfit identified as the National Tawheed Jamath is suspected of plotting the deadly Easter blasts that killed 290 people and wounded 500 others in the worst terror attack in the country's history, a top Sri Lankan minister said on Monday. Health Minister and the government spokesman, Rajitha Senaratne, also said that all suicide bombers involved in the blasts are believed to be Sri Lankan nationals. Speaking at a press conference here, the minister said that the Chief of National Intelligence had warned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) regarding the probable attacks before April 11. "On April 4, international intelligence agencies had warned of these attacks. The IGP was informed on April 9," Senaratne said. He said that the local outfit identified as the National Tawheed Jamath - a radical Muslim group - is suspected of plotting the deadly explosions. "There may be international links to them," he added. Senaratne sought resignation of police chief Pujith Jayasundera in
Four JD(S) workers from Karnataka killed in Lanka blasts
Four JD(S) workers from Karnataka, who were on a visit to Sri Lanka, have been killed in the multiple blasts in the island nation, according to Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy. "I am deeply pained at the loss of our people in the #colombo attacks. Out of the seven missing after the #TerrorAttack, four have been declared dead...," Kumaraswany tweeted. The dead are Lakshmana Gowda Ramesh, K M Lakshminarayan, M Rangappa and K G Hanumantharayappa, he said. Three other JD(S) workers have gone missing after multiple blasts, he added. The missing party workers are H Shivukumar, A Maregowda and H Puttaraju, Kumaraswany said. The State Chief Secretary's office is in constant touch with the Resident Commissioner at Karnataka Bhavan located at New Delhi, he said. The office is also in touch with families of the victims and the missing people for further information on them, the chief minister said. Kumaraswamy said he was deeply pained at the loss of their lives in the heinous ...
Trump tweets, then deletes, Sri Lanka terror post
US President Donald Trump posted a message on Twitter where he expresseed condolences to families of the victims of the Sri Lankan terror attack but he quickly deleted it as he overstated the death toll.
US, Canada issue travel advisories to citizens travelling to Sri Lanka
The US and Canada have issued travel advisories to their citizens seeking to visit Sri Lanka, citing threats of terrorism, a day after the calm of Easter Sunday was shattered by gruesome bombings targeting the country's churches and hotels that killed at least 290 people. According to advisories, travellers should exercise a high degree of caution in Sri Lanka due the current security situation. The US Embassy said terrorists may attack with little or no warning targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports and other public areas. The US citizens travelling to or residing in Sri Lanka were advised to enrol in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in order to receive the latest security updates, the Sunday Times reported. The situation remains volatile in Sri Lanka after eight ..
Sri Lanka blasts carried out by suicide bombers, authorities claim 'intelligence failure'
Sri Lankan authorities on Monday said that the eight deadly terror bombings which rattled different parts of the country amid Easter services a day before were carried out by suicide bombers."All the attacks were carried out by suicide bombers," Government Analyst A. Welianga told the Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka).Earlier on Monday, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told reporters that the authorities had prior "information regarding a possible attack" before the bomb blasts ripped through churches and hotels in Colombo and two other towns in the island nation."While this goes on we must also look into why adequate precautions were not taken," Wickremesinghe was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera.The Sri Lankan police noted that the ongoing investigation in the matter will examine reports why the intelligence community failed to detect or warn of possible suicide attacks ahead of the blasts, the worst violence in Sri Lanka since the end of the civil war a decade ago.Sri Lankan ...
7 suicide bombers involved in Lanka blasts; 24 arrested as toll rises to 290
Seven suicide bombers were involved in a series of eight devastating blasts that tore through churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing 290 people and wounding 500 others in the worst terror attack in the country's history, authorities said on Monday. The blasts targeted St Anthony's Church in Colombo, St Sebastian's Church in Negombo and Zeon Church in Batticaloa when the Easter Sunday mass were in progress. Three explosions were reported from the five-star hotels - the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury. No group has claimed responsibility for Sunday's attacks, but police have so far arrested 24 people and declined to give further details. "The attacks which had taken place at the Shangri-La, Kingsbury, and Cinnamon Grand hotels and also at St Anthony's Church in Kotahena, St. Sebastians Church in Katuwapitiya, and the Zeon Church in Batticaloa have been identified as suicide bombings," the Government Analyst's Department was quoted as saying by
Interpol offers Sri Lanka assistance to investigate Easter Sunday blasts
The Interpol on Monday said it is ready to offer full support to the Sri Lankan authorities in investigating the country's deadliest terror attack that killed 290 people in a series of eight blasts that tore through churches and luxury hotels in the country. Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock in a Twitter message said, "Interpol strongly condemns the horrific attacks and has offered its full support to the investigation being carried out by national authorities." Paris-based Interpol is an organisation which facilitates worldwide police cooperation. Stock said Interpol can deploy an Incident Response Team at the request of a member country to provide on-site support during a crisis situation. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims," he tweeted. Eight coordinated explosions targeted Easter worshippers and high end hotels popular with international guests. The blasts targeted St Anthony's Church in Colombo, St Sebastian's Church in the western ...
5 Indians among 290 dead in Sri Lanka bombings (4th Lead)
Five Indians are among the 290 people who have been confirmed dead in the deadly Easter Sunday suicide bombings in Sri Lanka, as police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera on Monday confirmed that 24 suspects have been arrested for their involvement in the island's bloodiest attacks in a decade.
Two JD(S) workers from Karnataka killed in Lanka blasts
Two JD(S) workers from Karnataka, who were on a visit to Sri Lanka, have died in the multiple blasts in the island country, according to Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy. "External affairs Min. @SushmaSwaraj has confirmed the death of two Kannadigas, KG Hanumantharayappa and M Rangappa, in the bomb blasts in #Colombo. I am deeply shocked at the loss of our JDS party workers, whom I know personally. We stand with their families in this hour of grief," Kumaraswamy tweeted Monday. Five other JD(S) workers have gone missing after multiple blasts, he said. "I am in constant touch with the Indian High Commission on the reports of those missing," he added. A string of eight powerful blasts, including suicide attacks, struck churches and luxury hotels frequented by foreigners in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing over 290 people and shattering a decade of peace in the island nation since the end of the brutal civil war with the LTTE. Kumaraswamy had on Sunday strongly condemned the .
7 suicide bombers carried out Easter blasts in Sri Lanka: Govt Analysts Dept
A total of seven suicide bombers carried out a series of eight devastating blasts that tore through churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing 290 people in the country's worst terror attack, the Government Analysts Department said on Monday. The blasts targeted St Anthony's Church in Colombo, St Sebastian's Church in Negombo and Zeon Church in Batticaloa when the Easter Sunday mass were in progress. Three explosions were reported from the five-star hotels - the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury. "The attacks which had taken place at the Shangri-La, Kingsbury, and Cinnamon Grand hotels and also at St Anthony's Church in Kotahena, St. Sebastians Church in Katuwapitiya, and the Zeon Church in Batticaloa have been identified as suicide bombings," the Sunday Times reported, quoting the Government Analysts Department. Hours after the six blasts, another explosion rocked Colombo. When a police team entered a house in the Colombo north suburb of ...
'Where is God?': Sri Lankans stunned after deadly blasts
As Shantha Prasad carried children wounded in Sri Lanka's deadly attacks into a Colombo hospital, memories of the country's deadly civil war flooded back. "I carried about eight wounded children yesterday," he told AFP on Monday, a day after a string of blasts hit hotels and churches, killing nearly 300 people. "There were two girls aged six and eight, the same age as my daughters," said Prasad, who helps carry stretchers into the hospital's triage area and wards. "Their clothes were torn and drenched in blood. It is unbearable to see this kind of violence again." For many Sri Lankans, Sunday's attacks against churches and high-end hotels brought back painful memories of a conflict that lasted three decades and killed as many as 100,000 people. During those years, bomb attacks were a regular occurrence, and left many Sri Lankans on edge in the streets and on public transport. In the capital, street sweeper Malathi Wickrama said Monday he was now nervous doing his job. "Now we are ...
Police release men arrested over killing of N. Ireland journalist
Police in Northern Ireland said they had released without charge two young men arrested in the investigation into the death of journalist Lyra McKee who was shot dead during riots in Londonderry. The pair, aged 18 and 19, had been arrested under anti-terror laws and taken to Belfast for questioning. Announcing their release, the Police Service of Northern Ireland made a fresh appeal for witnesses who saw what happened on Thursday night to come forward. "I know there will be some people who know what happened but are scared to come forward but if you have information, no matter how small, please contact detectives," Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said in a statement. McKee, 29, was shot in the head late Thursday by, police believe, dissident republicans linked to the New IRA paramilitary group as they clashed with police in Northern Ireland's second city, also known as Derry. The New IRA is a republican paramilitary group opposed to the shift towards non-violent tactics to bring
2 JD-S members among Indians killed in SL blasts
Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday said that two Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) members were among the five Indians who were killed along with 285 others in the deadly Easter Sunday suicide bombings in Sri Lanka.
Tamil Nadu: Indian Coast Guard apprehends four Indian fishermen near Dhanushkodi
Indian Coast Guard on Monday apprehended four Indian fishermen from the 4th islet in Rama Setu near Dhanushkodi in Rameswaram Island, officials said. They were later released after being interrogated at the Mandapam Coast Guard station.It is worth mentioning that in the aftermath of the serial bomb blasts in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and police have stepped security along the coastal lines to prevent any possible infiltration from Sri Lanka via sea route. Over 250 people were killed while more than 400 people sustained injuries in the blast.Also, police have stepped up security in all churches in coastal areas including fish landing centre near Danushkodi.Further details are awaited.
Sri Lanka blasts: Death toll rises to 290, police says 24 arrested
The toll in the eight coordinated bomb blasts that rocked Sri Lanka during Easter celebrations rose to 290, police said on Monday.Police spokesperson Ruwan Gunasekara told The New York Times that 24 people have been arrested in connection with the deadly explosions in which nearly 500 people were injured on Sunday.Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the reporters that the authorities had prior "information regarding a possible attack" before the bomb blasts ripped through churches and hotels in Colombo and two other towns in the island nation."While this goes on we must also look into why adequate precautions were not taken," Wickremesinghe was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera.The police said that the investigation will examine reports why the intelligence community failed to detect or warn of possible suicide attacks ahead of the blasts, the worst violence in Sri Lanka since the end of the civil war 10 years ago.They also said that an improvised pipe bomb found close to